ACLU Calls for Reinstatement of Students Suspended from University of Illinois Paper

Posted on February 18, 2006

Hell has frozen over. As much as I hate to praise the ACLU, my principles demand it when they stand by their principles. While they deserve the criticism they recieve in many of their hypocritical stances, one must recognize when they do what their stated principles are. Many times the criticism they recieve is based on them standing on their principles as abolute without regard to other consequences. When one has an absolutist view of liberty, one can often endanger that liberty altogether. Today, I must show that while I hate almost everything the ACLU does, I have no absolutist view of hatred towards the ACLU, and praise them for standing up for true liberty. Take note liberals, this will not happen often.

Via: ACLU.org

NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union today called upon the University of Illinois to reinstate the editor in chief and opinions page editor of the student newspaper, the Daily Illini, who were suspended after reprinting a series of controversial cartoons satirizing the Prophet Muhammad.

“While we certainly understand the sensitivities surrounding the publication of explosive and controversial content,” said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. “It has been the long-standing belief of the ACLU that the best response to speech we find odious and noxious is more speech - not less.”

In a letter sent today to the Chancellor of the University, the ACLU expressed concern and disagreement with the decision to suspend the two students from their positions and noted that upholding the premise of free speech, many universities, including the University of North Carolina, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, have published the cartoons without any retribution against students or the publications involved.

The ACLU has a long and demonstrated commitment to protecting free speech, as well as the rights of Muslims, Arabs and Asians in the post-9/11 context. The organization urges the University of Illinois to further a dialogue with students and faculty, and reach out to Muslim and Arab students to address issues of concern to those students.

“We understand that the publication of the anti-Muslim cartoons presents vexing issues for a democracy, but we also believe that that is the price of an open society,” added Romero. “Democracy means a great many things to a great many people. But it must never be a quiet business.”

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Comments

4 Responses to “ACLU Calls for Reinstatement of Students Suspended from University of Illinois Paper”

christy on February 18th, 2006 11:54 am

Well wonders never cease. It is shocking to see them actually doing the right thing for a change. I don’t agree with their thoughts on the cartoons personally I think they should be plastered everywhere. But it is good to see them taking the right side on this.
actus on February 18th, 2006 1:27 pm

“Take note liberals, this will not happen often.”

It would happen more often if you got a clue.
apostle on February 18th, 2006 1:56 pm

“It would happen more often if you got a clue.”

It would happen more often if communists didn’t run the organization.
kerwin_brown on February 20th, 2006 6:08 am

“No inference is here intended that the laws provided by the State against false and defamatory publications should not be enforced; he who has time renders a service to public morals and public tranquility in reforming these abuses by the salutary coercions of the law.” –Thomas Jefferson: 2nd Inaugural Address, 1805. ME 3:381

I agree with Thomas Jefferson that the ACLU is once again pushing their anarchistic agenda. In natural law and in Christian teachings The right to liberty is limited in that you are not allowed to harm yourself or any other living creature except for noble cause. An attack on slanderous Islam by the press is not a noble cause. You do remember the “Thou shalt not bear false witness” clause to the law of Moses.

The above cite came from The University of Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson Digital Archives.